ELKHORN—A doctor will evaluate a Whitewater man accused of sexual assault and attempted murder after his lawyer raised concerns about his competency.

Larry Shannon, 43, 310 S. Janesville St., Whitewater, was charged last fall with 11 felonies and three misdemeanors after assaulting and stabbing two young girls, then leading authorities on a high-speed, two-county chase, according to court documents.

Shannon's attorney, assistant public defender Travis Schwantes, wrote in a letter to Walworth County Judge David Reddy that mental illness might have rendered Shannon unable to assist in his own defense.

Reddy granted the motion at a hearing Wednesday. He ordered a doctor's examination before the case can proceed.

Shannon's case was scheduled to go to trial less than two weeks from now, but the evaluation has pushed that back.

Shannon is next due in court for a competency hearing on Oct. 15, Schwantes said.

In the meantime Shannon will remain in custody at the Walworth County Jail, where he is being held on a $1,000,000 cash bond.